The four of them combined will compete in ten races over a seven-day period. Garfield will be competing in the 1500m freestyle, while Ploy will race in the 100m, 200m butterfly and 4x 200m freestyle relay. During the week, Ploy can also qualify to compete in an additional race – the 4 x 100m independent medley. Golf faces the 4 x 100m freestyle, the 50m butterfly and 4 x 200m freestyle. Nok will swim in the 400m and 1500m freestyle.

Thanyapura’s head of aquatics Miguel Lopez expects to come back with a handful of medals. Knowing his charges, he expects excellent performances from them. He says, “The best outcome would be to return with two individual gold medals, a gold medal for the relay and a couple of bronze medals.”

While Nok has already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics and Garfield has received a wildcard from FINA, Ploy and Golf will be looking to record times that will gain them entry to Rio.

FINA scholarship swimmers arrive at Thanyapura

FINA’s initiative “Targeting Rio 2016” will bring a total of 26 swimmers from countries of Southeast Asia to train at Thanyapura to prepare for the 2015 FINA world championships and the Rio Olympics. These athletes, one male and one female from each country, will receive wildcards to compete at the FINA World Championships and 2016 Rio Olympics. Of note are the pair from Nepal, who have arrived in Phuket afterliving in turmoil for the past few weeks after the disastrous earthquakes that struck their country.

All swimmers are expected to arrive and start their training by June. With a grueling training schedule that includes 10 sessions in the water per week, four gym sessions with a private power coach, lactate analysis conducted by a sports physiologist, and mind training provided by the wellness center of Thanyapura, these athletes will have access to the most modern systems of training. They will also be exposed to other world-class swimmers when the different national squads come to train in Phuket.

In 2015, teams and national selections from some of the best swimming countries in the world, including Holland, Russia, Australia, Hungary, Great Britain and many others will come to train at Thanyapura, enjoying the excellent facilities, the high quality food, and the perfect weather for the sport of swimming. These teams are expected to return for years to come and bring with them great innovation and excitement to our pool deck.

Take The First Steps To A Healthier You

Thanyapura’s Medical Centre offers a wide variety of treatments from its on-site state of the art facilities. Treatments can be booked individually or as part of a tailor-made heath package just for you.